Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) on Wednesday claimed that the driver of the bus, which collided with a motorcycle on Tuesday night, was unaware that the accident took place.
The collision which took place in reclaimed suburb Hulhuamale resulted in the death of Fathimath Anjun Shafeeq, 13, of Thulusdhoo, Kaafu Atoll.
Reports state that the victim was with her mother on the motorcycle, driving along the road Nirolhu Magu towards the highway linking Hulhumale to Sinamale' Bridge, en route to Hulhumale.
Onlookers claim that the bus hit the motorcycle from behind, causing the young girl to be thrown off. She suffered severe injuries to the head and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Tree Top Hospital. Her mother did not sustain any serious injuries and was taken to Hulhumale' Hospital.
Police revealed that the 54-year-old local driver did not stop the bus despite the collision. The bus was intercepted by Police at the U-turn on the highway. The driver remains in police custody.
Local media Mihaaru reported that an official from MTCC stated that the driver and 14 passengers who were on the bus at that time of the incident were unaware of the collision.
The official stated that Police was conducting a forensic investigation of the bus, and claimed that so far, there were no issues identified in relation to the bus.
"If the vehicles collided and caused an accident of this extent, then there must be marks on the bus to indicate it. But there was no sign of blood on the tires, and not a single scratch on the bus".
The official went on to say that there is no room for speeding in these buses as their engines are set not to exceed 53 kilometres per hour.
"Not only this, but the driver in question has been with MTCC since 2015, and he was driving pickups prior to that".
On behalf of MTCC, the official expressed grief over the incident and conveyed condolences.
A Ukranian woman was also killed in a bus accident earlier this year in Hulhumale'. The bus driver had reportedly dozed off at the wheel and witnesses reported that the tourist was run over.
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